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#1
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Gauge Poll
Last November, I stated knitting series of swatches in the same yarn and
stitch pattern but in with different sized needles. For example, I would knit Lion Brand wool in the same stitch on USA size 1, 3, 5, & 7 needles. then every time I was talking to someone, I would pull the swatches out and ask them what they thought of the various swatches. Thinner yarns such, as Paton's classic got swatched on 0, 2, 4, & 6. The results have been surprisingly consistent. When shown a series, worsted weight yarns knit on 6, 7 & 8 needles are described as too loose or flimsy. When shown a series people like worsted weight yarns knit on 2, 3, & 4 sized needles. When shown a series people think that worsted weight yarns knit on size 1 needles do not show the pattern or consider the pattern too small or dainty for an adult. People seem to like worsted weight yarns knit at 5+ to 6+ stitches per inch when shown a selection. At this point, I have posed the question to enough people that my poll is starting to have some real statistical power. (And, my wife is starting to have second thoughts about me letting go out of the house or inviting her friends over. She even pities the religious missionaries that come by, as they get invited in, and sat down at the table with a series of knitting swatches in front of them.) So, in your heart of hearts, what gauge do you like for knit woolens? Not what gauge do you like to knit, or what gauge is easy to knit, but what makes the most wonderful fabric? Aaron |
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#2
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Gauge Poll
On Feb 11, 6:11 pm, wrote:
Last November, I stated knitting series of swatches in the same yarn and stitch pattern but in with different sized needles. For example, I would knit Lion Brand wool in the same stitch on USA size 1, 3, 5, & 7 needles. then every time I was talking to someone, I would pull the swatches out and ask them what they thought of the various swatches. Thinner yarns such, as Paton's classic got swatched on 0, 2, 4, & 6. The results have been surprisingly consistent. When shown a series, worsted weight yarns knit on 6, 7 & 8 needles are described as too loose or flimsy. When shown a series people like worsted weight yarns knit on 2, 3, & 4 sized needles. When shown a series people think that worsted weight yarns knit on size 1 needles do not show the pattern or consider the pattern too small or dainty for an adult. People seem to like worsted weight yarns knit at 5+ to 6+ stitches per inch when shown a selection. At this point, I have posed the question to enough people that my poll is starting to have some real statistical power. (And, my wife is starting to have second thoughts about me letting go out of the house or inviting her friends over. She even pities the religious missionaries that come by, as they get invited in, and sat down at the table with a series of knitting swatches in front of them.) So, in your heart of hearts, what gauge do you like for knit woolens? Not what gauge do you like to knit, or what gauge is easy to knit, but what makes the most wonderful fabric? Aaron My own opinion is that I prefer worsted weight yarn knitted on no larger of a needle than a size 5. But it also depends on the brand/ type of yarn. Red Heart acrylics for instance are a much thicker worsted than any wool I have tried. So they (red heart projects) usually get a size 7 for my preferences. Mary |
#3
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Gauge Poll
I think you're right there Aaron, for sweaters and things that I
wear to keep warm with, I want a tighter knit fabric, hence smaller needle size. I made an aran sweater with 6's and the cables showed up nicely. I like my socks to be a tighter knit too unless I'm using a lace pattern. I cringe when I see those patterns for instant gratification projects such as scarves and sweaters knit on the gigantic needles! I don't mind taking longer on a project as long as it looks nice. Heehee, I'm the same way about showing everybody my knitting stuff. When my son and his Marine friends come over I whip out the afghans, sweaters and socks. Surprisingly, they LIKE to look at them. I think everyone that comes over is pretty well used to me doing that so they don't mind me showing them my stuff. In fact, a lot of people have asked me to make them something and I'm happy to do so. I like to keep my hands busy especially in the evenings when we're all watching t.v. Marie and the cats On Feb 11, 5:11 pm, wrote: Last November, I stated knitting series of swatches in the same yarn and stitch pattern but in with different sized needles. For example, I would knit Lion Brand wool in the same stitch on USA size 1, 3, 5, & 7 needles. then every time I was talking to someone, I would pull the swatches out and ask them what they thought of the various swatches. Thinner yarns such, as Paton's classic got swatched on 0, 2, 4, & 6. The results have been surprisingly consistent. When shown a series, worsted weight yarns knit on 6, 7 & 8 needles are described as too loose or flimsy. When shown a series people like worsted weight yarns knit on 2, 3, & 4 sized needles. When shown a series people think that worsted weight yarns knit on size 1 needles do not show the pattern or consider the pattern too small or dainty for an adult. People seem to like worsted weight yarns knit at 5+ to 6+ stitches per inch when shown a selection. At this point, I have posed the question to enough people that my poll is starting to have some real statistical power. (And, my wife is starting to have second thoughts about me letting go out of the house or inviting her friends over. She even pities the religious missionaries that come by, as they get invited in, and sat down at the table with a series of knitting swatches in front of them.) So, in your heart of hearts, what gauge do you like for knit woolens? Not what gauge do you like to knit, or what gauge is easy to knit, but what makes the most wonderful fabric? Aaron |
#4
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Gauge Poll
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#5
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Gauge Poll
Suzee you are right , this matter is extremely personal , and also
connected to weather , climate, Availability of Warm inside places etc... Any `statistics made on the Basis of One /same knitter , in same enviroment , wouldn`t be Scientific enough. In order for such a Poll , to be accurate , the swatches of Same person , will have to be shown , in Other climatic places than his/her own, To other groups of people. And with it Swatches of Several Knitters , have to be shown as well . mirjam |
#6
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Gauge Poll
It does depend a lot on the yarn. I got some hand spun hand dyed
worsted weight merino wool from our farmer's market. It has a very loose spin - hardly any twist. My mittens use size 4 (all sizes US) for the ribbed cuff and size 6 for the body. This created a firm but flexible fabric. I originally tried size 4 for the body as well but the resulting fabric was stiff, not flexible, and hardly stretchy at all. I have some bamboo yarn that I'm still swatching. The band on the yarn says size 6-8 needles but I find the fabric too loose at even the lowest number and I'm still trying sizes. Alison On Feb 11, 5:11 pm, wrote: Last November, I stated knitting series of swatches in the same yarn and stitch pattern but in with different sized needles. For example, I would knit Lion Brand wool in the same stitch on USA size 1, 3, 5, & 7 needles. then every time I was talking to someone, I would pull the swatches out and ask them what they thought of the various swatches. Thinner yarns such, as Paton's classic got swatched on 0, 2, 4, & 6. The results have been surprisingly consistent. When shown a series, worsted weight yarns knit on 6, 7 & 8 needles are described as too loose or flimsy. When shown a series people like worsted weight yarns knit on 2, 3, & 4 sized needles. When shown a series people think that worsted weight yarns knit on size 1 needles do not show the pattern or consider the pattern too small or dainty for an adult. People seem to like worsted weight yarns knit at 5+ to 6+ stitches per inch when shown a selection. At this point, I have posed the question to enough people that my poll is starting to have some real statistical power. (And, my wife is starting to have second thoughts about me letting go out of the house or inviting her friends over. She even pities the religious missionaries that come by, as they get invited in, and sat down at the table with a series of knitting swatches in front of them.) So, in your heart of hearts, what gauge do you like for knit woolens? Not what gauge do you like to knit, or what gauge is easy to knit, but what makes the most wonderful fabric? Aaron |
#7
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Gauge Poll
On Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:11:40 GMT, wrote:
Size matters. Ideally I'll knit worsted at 6spi, DK at 7-8spi, and fingering at 9+spi. My tensioning issues these days have me knitting on 2/0 needles for socks, 2.5-3mm for sweaters. I have one pair of socks in the stash that I knitted at 12spi using Opal yarn. I think future archaeologists will probably find those socks... |
#8
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Gauge Poll
skrev i melding t... Last November, I stated knitting series of swatches in the same yarn and stitch pattern but in with different sized needles. For example, I would knit Lion Brand wool in the same stitch on USA size 1, 3, 5, & 7 needles. then every time I was talking to someone, I would pull the swatches out and I cannot give you an exact answer! It surely depends of the yarn. I knit most often plain wool. To my opinion each wool stitches shall live and breathe, but never be flimsy or "lonely"! They shall "lean" upon eachother and seem to depend of eachother, up and down and to both sides, but never be squeesed! Then they insulate best, and the yarn looks at its' best. Well, now you think I am crazy, and may be that's right! LOL! I don't think this made much sence to you...but OK! Aud ;-) |
#9
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Gauge Poll
Mirjam Bruck-Cohen spun a FINE 'yarn':
Suzee you are right , this matter is extremely personal , and also connected to weather , climate, Availability of Warm inside places etc... Any `statistics made on the Basis of One /same knitter , in same enviroment , wouldn`t be Scientific enough. In order for such a Poll , to be accurate , the swatches of Same person , will have to be shown , in Other climatic places than his/her own, To other groups of people. And with it Swatches of Several Knitters , have to be shown as well . mirjam Have to agree wholeheartedly with Mirjam and Suzee! HTH, Noreen -- --- avast! AV: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000712-7, 02/12/2007 Tested: 2/12/2007 1:25:16 PM avast! - (c) 1988-2006 http://www.avast.com |
#10
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Gauge Poll
spun a FINE 'yarn':
Last November, I stated knitting series of swatches in the same yarn and stitch pattern but in with different sized needles. For example, I would knit Lion Brand wool in the same stitch on USA size 1, 3, 5, & 7 needles. then every time I was talking to someone, I would pull the swatches out and ask them what they thought of the various swatches. Thinner yarns such, as Paton's classic got swatched on 0, 2, 4, & 6. The results have been surprisingly consistent. When shown a series, worsted weight yarns knit on 6, 7 & 8 needles are described as too loose or flimsy. When shown a series people like worsted weight yarns knit on 2, 3, & 4 sized needles. When shown a series people think that worsted weight yarns knit on size 1 needles do not show the pattern or consider the pattern too small or dainty for an adult. People seem to like worsted weight yarns knit at 5+ to 6+ stitches per inch when shown a selection. At this point, I have posed the question to enough people that my poll is starting to have some real statistical power. (And, my wife is starting to have second thoughts about me letting go out of the house or inviting her friends over. She even pities the religious missionaries that come by, as they get invited in, and sat down at the table with a series of knitting swatches in front of them.) So, in your heart of hearts, what gauge do you like for knit woolens? Not what gauge do you like to knit, or what gauge is easy to knit, but what makes the most wonderful fabric? Aaron As Ron Reagan answered when asked boxers or briefs "DEPENDS", Aaron! Gauge preferences depend on the item, the recipient, the yarn, the mood of the knitter (OR crocheter!), the weather, the weight of the finished item, etc. HTH, Noreen -- --- avast! AV: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000712-7, 02/12/2007 Tested: 2/12/2007 1:25:17 PM avast! - (c) 1988-2006 http://www.avast.com |
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